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How do you move and release a long-captive orca? 'Free Willy' star offers sad lesson

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — An ambitious plan announced last week to return Lolita, a killer whale held captive for more than a half-century, to her home waters in Washington’s Puget Sound thrilled those who have long advocated for her to be freed from her tank at the Miami Seaquarium.But it also called to mind the release of Keiko — the star of the movie “Free Willy” — more than two decades ago. Keiko's return to his native Iceland vastly improved upon his life in a Mexico City tank, but he failed to adapt to the wild and died five years later.He is the only orca released after long-term captivity.Advocates say their experience with Keiko will inform how they plan for Lolita's return. But they also stress the differences between their cases.FILE - Trainer Marcia Hinton pets Lolita, a captive orca whale, during a performance at the Miami Seaquarium in Miami, March 9, 1995. An unlikely coalition made up of a theme park owner, an animal rights group, a mayor and a philanthropist who owns...

Bluebonnets, ice storm could mean more snake sightings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Warmer weather is here and with it, familiar creatures: snakes.Before you take your family photos in a nearby field, beware."With the early bluebonnets, we've definitely seen an increase in snake bites," said Payton Bowyer, with St. David's South Austin Medical Center. She has seen an increasing need for anti-venom to treat bites from venomous snakes in the Austin area. As hard as it sounds, not panicking can actually increase your chances of survival."The more your heart rate increases, the more that venom is going to be circulating through your body. So you want to stay as calm and keep your heart rate as low as possible until we can get you to an emergency center," Bowyer added.Spring is the time of year for snakes to be more visible.According to Hope Carr with the Austin Zoo, "Native snakes are going to be going coming out of what's called brumation, which is kind of like a low metabolic rate, they've been taking it easy over the winter, not eating as much kind ...

Texas drops effort to punish Harris County over its law enforcement spending

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Monday backed off his claim that Harris County “defunded” a constable’s office in violation of a state law intended to prevent cities and counties from cutting their police budgets, ending the latest standoff between the state’s Republican leaders and Democratic officials heading the state’s most populous county.Hegar accused Harris County leaders in February of cutting the constable’s budget without getting voter approval — a requirement under a 2021 state law passed in the wake of the George Floyd protests. The comptroller barred the county from being able to set their property tax rate, which prompted Harris County officials to sue Hegar. Texas officials accuse Harris County of slashing constables’ budgets — but they’re actually going up Local government technicalities and number-punching differences led state and county officials to opposite conclusions of whether Harris County did in fact reduce that constable’s b...

28-year-old Round Rock man found

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- A missing 28-year-old Round Rock man was found Tuesday morning after going missing Monday evening. Round Rock police tweeted at 6:29 a.m. that they were searching for the man, who had been staying at the Kalahari Resort before going missing Monday around 7:20 p.m.The man has autism and police believed he was in danger while he was missing. Police tweeted an update at 7:27 a.m. that the man was found.

Donald Trump set to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in historic court moment

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

NEW YORK  — An extraordinary moment in U.S. history is set to soon unfold in a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday: Former President Donald Trump, who faces multiple election-related investigations, will surrender to face criminal charges stemming from 2016 hush money payments.The booking and arraignment are likely to be relatively brief — though hardly routine — as Trump is fingerprinted, learns the charges against him and pleads, as expected, not guilty. Judge Juan Merchan has ruled that TV cameras won’t be allowed in the courtroom.Trump, who was impeached twice by the U.S. House but was never convicted in the U.S. Senate, will become the first former president to face criminal charges. The nation’s 45th commander in chief will be escorted from Trump Tower to the courthouse by the Secret Service and may have his mug shot taken.Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina said Tuesday that Trump wouldn’t plead guilty to lesser charges, even if it might resolve the case. He said he didn’t believe the case...

5 things to know this Tuesday, April 4

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, this morning will be showery for some, dreary for others heading out to the door. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Some Washington County School Districts have opened with a two-hour delay today after receiving bomb threats early Tuesday morning. Local law enforcement is aware of the threats, according to multiple district websites. Also, Amsterdam native Andre Jackson helped the University of Connecticut (UConn) win their fifth national title on Monday night, defeating the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this morning. 1. Washington County schools on delay after bomb threatsMultiple school districts within Washington County will be operating under a two-hour delay on Tuesday. These delays stem from bomb threats made earlier Tuesday morning. You can check closings and delays on News10’...

Washington County Sheriff's Office investigating school bomb threats

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Multiple school districts within Washington County are operating under a two-hour delay on Tuesday, with some closing for the day. These delays stem from bomb threats made earlier Tuesday morning. As a result, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating these threats. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Multiple school districts in the area, including Hudson Falls Central School District, Hartford Central School District, and Granville Central School District, say they received bomb threats early Tuesday morning. Other districts are in delay as a precaution. You can check closings and delays on News10's website. Stick with News10 as more information on the delays and threats become available.

La Fillette Bakery reopens in larger space, adds brunch and booze

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

The restaurant: La Fillette Bakery, 6217 E. 14th Ave., DenverAbout: La Fillette Bakery has reopened in a larger space in the Montclair neighborhood, less than two miles away from its previous location at 4416 E. 8th Ave., which it moved out of in February. Owner Keturah Fleming, who founded the French-inspired, from-scratch bakery in 2015, said she has been wanting to expand the business for the past couple of years so she could start a full-service brunch with booze. The business doubled its space from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet, adding a bar, a little patio and a bigger kitchen.“We tried to stay as close as we could in the neighborhood and find an existing structure that we could make our own, give us more space and bring back seating,” Fleming said.La Fillette’s brunch menu includes new sandwiches, like bahni mis, as well as classics like French toast and build-your-own breakfast croissant sandwiches. (Provided by La Fillette Bakery)What’s on the menu: La ...

Netflix dating show “Love is Blind” is now casting Denver singles

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

Calling all single Denverites: If you ever dreamed of getting engaged sight unseen, now is your chance.Netflix’s reality dating show “Love is Blind” is currently casting locals who are tired of looking for love based solely on physical attraction. Production company Kinetic Content, which reality TV fans can thank for gems like “Married at First Sight and “Claim to Fame,” posted on social media that it’s now casting singles “who are brave, open-minded and ready for a committed relationship” for seasons based in the Mile High City, Washington, D.C. and St. Paul.Billed as a “social experiment,” the premise of the show is to see if couples can build an emotional connection so strong that their feelings supersede any physical attributes. In fact, participants don’t even get to meet their potential partners face-to-face unless they get engaged first.Season four, based in Seattle, is currently airing with new episodes added to Netflix on Fridays through April 14.“Love is...

Opinion: Rooting for the lesser prairie chicken over the greater oil and gas industry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:31 GMT

What I remember most about that dark early morning of crouching on the prairie is the rhythmic sound of pounding. It was so loud I wondered if someone had put a microphone near the skinny legs of the dozen birds dancing on the turf. As the sun rose above the horizon in southeastern New Mexico, the male lesser prairie chickens continued their ritual performance, each hoping to entice a female.They strutted, leaped in the air with feathers spread, and bowed, but the greatest thrill was watching them puff up the garish, red-orange air sacs on either side of their necks.Concealed in a blind, we watched late into the morning that spring of 1999, until the last birds — members of a rapidly vanishing species — flew off.I recalled that wonderful day recently, because in late March, after countless lawsuits and scientific opinions, the lesser prairie chicken in New Mexico, Colorado and eastwards finally got what it so desperately needs — federal protection under the Endangered Sp...